Avenues for Justice Celebrates Juneteenth with Activist and Champion for Justice Reform, Khaliah Ali, and Charles Pan-Fried Chicken

WATCH: Khaliah Ali and the AFJ Team discuss the importance of Juneteenth and its impact on our work. Video by Gary Wachter

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Last week, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) held two exciting events at our community centers---two days of wellness and haircuts for our Participants, along with a Juneteenth barbeque celebration prepared by AFJ partner, Charles Pan-Fried Chicken. During the celebration, the AFJ Team shared food and stories with our Participants and their family members, community members and supporters at our Harlem Community Center. AFJ’s Director of Court Advocacy and Outreach, Gamal, and Court Advocate, Brian, gave an in depth presentation to the group about the significance of Juneteenth, with many of our Participants embracing the historical legacy of Juneteenth.  

AFJ’s 2023 Second Chance Gala Honoree and Activist, Khaliah Ali, attended the Juneteenth celebration and shared with Participants how "slavery is alive and well today, especially in our prison system network and other areas as well. So Juneteenth is a painful reminder of our past but also a painful reminder of our future if we don't continue to vote, educate ourselves and attempt to break down this system to end slavery once and for all."

In addition to our Juneteenth celebration, as part of our focus on physical and  mental wellness care, AFJ treated our Participants to two days of in-house haircuts and shape-ups provided by professional barbers. Executive Director, Angel, commented on how “terrific it is to see the faces  f our young people just light up after they get a haircut and look at  themselves in the mirror. Their demeanors immediately change when they feel  good about themselves and know that their shapeups look sharp.”